Could have a 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine that is backed up by an electric motor

Audi technology communications manager Oliver Strohbach has revealed some new details about the Q7 e-tron.

Speaking CarAdvice, Strohbach confirmed the model would be introduced later this year or early next year. Healso said the model will ride on the MLB Evo platform which will eventually underpin the next-generation A4, A6 / A7, A8 and "all the family."

Power will be provided by a 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine that is backed up by an electric motor. This will reportedly give the model a combined maximum output of 373 PS (275kW) and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Despite the impressive performance figures, the crossover is expected to consume less than 4.0L/100km (58.8 mpg US / 70.6 mpg UK) and have an electric only range in excess of 50 km (31 miles).

Formula 1 and endurance racing are already harvesting energy from turbos on the track, and now it's apparently time for a similar idea of boosting the efficiency of forced induction to hit the streets in a high-performance, diesel SUV.

In a recent interview with the UK's Autocar, Audi technical boss Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg let the big news slip. "The new Q7 will be available in the market next year but the electric turbo will come a bit later in the Audi SQ7 available in 2016," he said. The e-turbo system was already rumored for the premium SUV but for the standard model, not this just-announced performance version.

Audi has been experimenting with the e-turbo system for a little while, as an electrically driven supercharger. It showed up on the RS5 TDI concept that used a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel V6 plus the electric system to diminish turbo lag. In that application, it provided an impressive 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque and an alleged sprint to 62 miles per hour in 4 seconds. Although, Dr. Hackenberg didn't make it clear if this was the exact layout for the SQ7.

According to Autocar, the sophisticated system is powered by its own, separate 48-volt electrical system that drives a 7-kilowatt (9.4 horsepower) motor to spin the supercharger. When the internal combustion engine is at low revs, it provides the needed boost but shuts off as engine revs rise to let the turbos take over.

The second-generation Audi Q7 will be spearheaded by the high-po, diesel-powered SQ7, scheduled to arrive in 2016, one year after the launch of the regular model.

The SUV will feature an electrically assisted turbocharging system similar to the one fitted to the RS 5 TDI Concept.

The technology, which will make its production car debut on the Audi SQ7, is said to combat turbo lag and improve response. Audi’s board member for technical development, Ulrich Hackenberg, confirmed to Autocar the SQ7 model.

Currently Audi is trialing two different systems on its concepts. In the A6 TDI Concept, the system combines an electrically driven supercharger with a single turbocharger, while in the RS 5 TDI, an electrically driven supercharger is linked with a series sequential twin-turbo system with a large and small turbocharger.

At low rpm, when diesel engines suffer most lag, the electric charger is activated, reaching maximum boost in just 250 milliseconds for near instantaneous throttle response. When high enough exhaust pressure is detected, the conventional turbos take over thanks to a valve that opens and bypasses the electric turbo.

It is not known yet which solution will be adopted for the high performance Audi Q7, but the fact is that the single turbocharger plus electric charger configuration of the A6 Concept is less expensive than the more complex twin turbo system of the RS 5 TDI Concept.

In the A6 TDI Concept, the experimental V6 diesel produced 420hp and 480 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque between 1,450 rpm and 2,800 rpm. In the RS 5 TDI Concept, the 3.0-liter biturbo TDI engine delivers 380hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.

When the name Audi is mentioned, usually images of the carmaker’s legendary Quattro and RS models come to mind. Rarely will a fleeting thought go towards envisioning any SUV variant; however, for some, a large luxury SUV will tick all the appropriate boxes.

This is where the Q7 Sports Utility Vehicle sits amongst the Ingolstadt-based firm’s lineup. Launched in 2005, it has been fairly successful for Audi, even withstanding criticism for its polarizing styling and hefty mass.

The Bavarian brand still believes in success with this segment, hence why an new generation Q7 is full-steam in development. We’ve previously shown you the spy shots, and now with a layering of digital manipulation - I can reveal Audi’s design direction for the next all-new Q7.

Design:

Immediately, first impressions are that some serious scalpel-work has been made to reduce the previous version’s visual bulk. To achieve this, Audi have employed their latest design language that has toned the bodywork with technical simplicity and athletic tension.

One cannot miss that bold front-end; Audi’s signature grille is aggressively angular - so too are the lower intakes and sharp LED headlights. Everything is tightly creased from the front fenders and back.

This lean new aesthetic also helps the side profile, with taut shoulder-lines and lower door scallops helping remove that visual mass. The glasshouse is shorter than on the out-going Q7 - if anything, resembling an ‘angular’ Audi Q5 whilst retaining the original's clamshell trunk design.
Interior:

While we’ve yet to set eyes on the cabin in its entirety, you can bet on nothing short of Audi’s superb craftsmanship and design quality. Seating seven, it’s tipped to improve on comfort and practicality compared to the outgoing Q7.

Spy shots to date have partially revealed the upper dashboard, with heads-up display and Audi’s MMI interface screen being confirmed. Other technical goodies will no doubt reveal themselves in good time with an emphasis on driver assists and passenger entertainment.
Under The Hood:

At the lower end of the spectrum, a supercharged, 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine will take care of day-to-day affairs. While performance aficionados will no doubt approve of utilizing a turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 as found in other go-fast Audi’s.

Those partial to the smell of diesel will be pleased that turbocharged V6 and V8 oil-burners will make the cut, and there’s a strong possibly that a hybrid version will also appease the eco-conscious - watch this space.

Platform & Handling:

The departing Q7 weighs as much as the Moon; so in order to lose weight, Audi has employed lighter materials such as aluminium, carbon fibre and light high-strength steels. Rumored weight reduction of more than 300 kg (over 660 pounds) should make it an decent drive, even if SUV’s aren’t your inclination.
It will ride on the MLB platform shared with Bentley’s upcoming SUV, Porsche’s Cayenne and VW’s own Touareg for better economies of scale. This will allow access to advanced technological goodies and suspension options shared across the Volkswagen Group.

Market Positioning:

Audi’s 2016 Q7 sits amongst an ultra-competitive large luxury SUV segment. Fighting against BMW’s X5, Mercedes-Benz’s M-Class, Land Rover’s LR4 and to an lesser extent - Volvo’s XC90 and Acura’s MDX, the Quattro-branded entrant won’t have it easy.

Still, with impressive weight loss targets, powerful engines, and athletic styling - this next generation Q-ship should equal-foot with these rivals just fine.

Expect the upcoming Q7 to debut at the 2014 Paris Auto Show or early 2015 at the latest (that’s if they don't make another last-minute design change - again).

Finally, what do you think the large Audi’s diet program - does it look the goods, or should it get back on the treadmill? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Could use a 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Work continues on the 2016 Audi Q7 as our spies have caught two different prototypes undergoing testing in Europe.

While we've already seen petrol-powered models before, the Nürburgring prototype features a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Nothing is official but the model is expected to use a 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup could enable the crossover to produce a combined maximum output of 373 PS (275kW) and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. More importantly, we can expect the Q7 e-tron to consume less than 4.0L/100km (58.8 mpg US / 70.6 mpg UK) and have an electric only range in excess of 50 km (31 miles).

On the styling front, there doesn't appear to be anything that sets the plug-in hybrid apart but that could change when the camouflage comes off. Regardless, the crossover features a wider and more upright grille which is flanked by angular headlights. Moving further back, we can see a gently sloping roofline and more pronounced rear fenders. The crossover also has a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a dual exhaust system.

Sporting an evolutionary design

The second generation Audi Q7 has made a comeback in a fresh set of very revealing spy shots.

Audi unveiled last week at the Los Angeles Auto show the Prologue concept which paves the way for a new styling direction. However, the Q7 full-size SUV was developed before March Lichte was named Audi's design chief so the vehicle's styling doesn't boast the Prologue-inspired design as the first car to inaugurate the fresh appearance will be the next-gen A8 set to arrive late 2016.

The Audi Q7 prototype spotted here adopts an evolutionary design and looks less bulky than the outgoing generation but the styling will likely be criticized by many since it features many similarities with the model is set to replace.

There's camouflage only on the upper part of the front grille as well as on the headlights & taillights while the observable metal appears to be sharper but far from being a novelty.

Set to be offered with optional matrix LED headlights, the overhauled Audi Q7 will go on a significant diet estimated at around 363 kg (800 lbs) and will likely feature standard LED taillights. On the inside there will be a new four-spoke steering wheel, larger touchpad, digital dials (not confirmed) and a controversial free-standing touchscreen display.

Expect power to come from updated six- and eight-cylinder engines along with a rumored SQ7 pairing a twin-turbo V6 3.0-liter TDI with an electric turbocharger and a lithium-ion battery. It's a system borrowed from the RS5 TDI concept where it delivers 385 HP (283 kW) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) but the SQ7 will be significantly heavier so expect a major power bump to match the bulk. There should also be a more frugal e-tron plug-in hybrid derivative featuring a 3.0-liter V6 TDI with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. It will allegedly have a fuel consumption of less than 4 liters / 100 km (58.8 mpg US / 70.6 mpg UK) and do 31 miles (50 km) on electric power.

Audi could decide to bring the overhauled Q7 to NAIAS in January or wait until March for the Geneva Motor Show. The model will also form the basis of a more coupe-styled Q8 set to go on sale within the next three years to compete with the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.